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Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100Zend_Feedhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/shooters-and-fishers-party-victoria-election-update
The Victorian State Election was held yesterday with the Shooters and Fishers Party standing candidates in all Upper House regions.

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/the-ammo-bill-has-to-go-
Figures published in the Daily Telegraph today show an increasing number of thefts from law abiding firearm owners since the Ammo Bill was introduced (you can read the story here). The Shooters and Fishers Party are calling on NSW Police Minister Stuart Ayres to immediately intervene to ensure firearm owners and their families do not become targets of the NSW Government's failed bill.

Shooters and Fishers Party MLC Robert Borsak says that not only has the Ammo Bill failed to stop gun crime in South Western Sydney, it has also left law abiding firearm owners at risk.

"This is an appalling piece of legislation and repealing the useless Ammo Bill remains one of the top priorities of the Shooters and Fishers Party," said Mr Borsak.

Mr Borsak said that if Samantha Lee and Gun Control Australia were serious about stopping the theft of firearms they would immediately call on the NSW Government to repeal this useless piece of legislation, rather than blaming law abiding citizens.

“It was only thanks to sustained lobbying by the Shooters and Fishers Party and shooting clubs throughout NSW that we were able to convince the Police Minister to review their data security procedures after a Police whistleblower exposed serious concerns over security of data at the NSW Firearms Registry," said Mr Borsak.

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/5-post-bull-bars
The Shooters and Fishers Party are deeply concerned at reports from NSW that drivers in regional areas are being targeted by police over 5 post bull bars.

Yesterday I spoke with the Bull Bar Council of Australia and pledged that the Shooters and Fishers Party would work with the industry body and businesses to clarify the laws regarding the use of bull bars, and work to find a common sense solution.

Bull bars are NOT a fashion accessory – they are a necessity in regional areas and we are concerned to hear that drivers are being targeted – particularly in light of the confusion which currently exists.

Today I have written to the NSW Minister for Police Stuart Ayres and the NSW Minister for Roads Duncan Gay requesting an urgent meeting between the Government and industry to address the concerns of drivers in regional NSW, for whom bull bars are an essential item to protect their personal safety on the road.

The Shooters and Fishers Party are also calling on the NSW Government to suspend the current crack down until such time as clarification can be sought, and waive all existing fines that have been issued to drivers across the State.

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/were-supporting-tafe-nsw-
I started my apprenticeship in 1966 and I think the TAFE system has done a pretty good job over the years. It’s good to know there is a place for kids to learn a trade, and to be taught at a high standard by industry professionals.

The TAFE system has to remain relevant, and to do this, we need to support the continual growth of the system, so that you everyone can have the opportunities available to them, as well as to maintain jobs within the TAFE System. So in order for this to happen.

At the moment, the TAFE system provides mobile services which tour throughout regional NSW. These mobile services bring hands on training services to people who are learning online and who live hundreds of kilometres away from their nearest TAFE. The NSW Government wanted to demolish these mobile services. Funding would have been cut from the TAFE System and put into privatised education organisations which means cuts to teachers, facilities, services and courses provided by the TAFE System.

The Shooters and Fishers Party strongly believe that TAFE is essential to regional NSW. TAFE means our youth will have the opportunity to develop skills without being limited by location, costs, and other restrictions that these changes would have brought on.

The TAFE system is essential as it provides the ability for students to develop and grow as an individual, as well as providing the necessary support and qualified teaching to our youth in regional NSW without the pressure of costly courses.

The Shooters and Fishers Party and the Greens don’t always see eye to eye, but this Bill has hit close to home. I want to see the kids of tomorrow have the opportunity to get a trade without putting themselves into massive debt before they even enter the workforce.

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/why-are-the-shooters-and-fishers-party-discussing-city-of-sydney-council
Recently you may have seen or heard news reports that the Shooters and Fishers Party are introducing a Bill concerning the City of Sydney Council. Some of our supporters may wonder why that’s an issue we are involved in.

Well there’s a few reasons.

The first is that I was the Deputy Chairman of the bipartisan committee into Electoral Matters which investigated this matter. Contrary to what Clover Moore and the Greens are saying, the Parliament held extensive inquiries into this matter. In fact Clover Moore and the City of Sydney Council were both given the opportunity to give evidence at these inquiries and did so. We also heard from the City of Melbourne Council who adopted similar reforms to give business a greater say.

For the Shooters and Fishers Party, this comes down to a matter of fairness. Businesses contribute 78% of all revenue within the City of Sydney Council area, however because of endless paperwork and red tape - approved by Clover Moore and the previous Labor Government - only a handful of businesses bother to vote. We want to make it easier for those businesses who contribute the majority of the Council revenue to have their say on the future direction of our largest city.

The key part of the Bill is that business owners will be on a permanent voting roll and won’t have to re-register for each election. The Bill is fair to both major parties and independents alike, without the disadvantages of the current system that has been cleverly manipulated since 2002.

You’re going to hear the Greens and Clover Moore claim all kinds of back room deals have gone on in regards to this Bill. But, in fact, no deals have been made with the Government on this piece of legislation. The Shooters and Fishers Party believe this Bill is the best way to get the City of Sydney Council working again. It’s good policy, it’s good for Sydney and it’s good for NSW. That’s all the incentive we need.

Clover Moore will also tell you this is an attack on her personally. But nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is, for years Ms Moore has claimed she has developed a great working relationships with Sydney businesses. If that is true, then she should welcome this move with open arms!

For too long businesses have been denied the right to have a say in what happens in their own City. They have been victims of taxation without representation. The Shooters and Fishers Party Bill will end this inequality and get Sydney moving forward again.

The Hon Robert Borsak, MLC

Shooters and Fishers Party

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/i-wont-be-defined-by-a-criminal
Law abiding firearm owners will not be defined by the actions of a mad man.

Eighteen years ago this week, we know that Australia witnessed one of the most senseless acts of violence in our history.

A criminal, described by the sentencing Judge as a “pathetic social misfit” took the lives of thirty five people using illegally acquired firearms. Every Australian mourned the loss of those lives at the hands of a deranged individual.

But the Shooters and Fishers Party find it despicable that groups like Gun Control Australia use this national tragedy to further their own agenda, and we will not accept it.

There are more than 220,000 licensed, law abiding firearm owners in New South Wales who use firearms safely and responsibly every day. Whether for target shooting, hunting or collecting, these people who come from all walks of life have nothing in common with a mad man who continues to rot in a jail cell.

I do not, and will not, allow the actions of a criminal to define me.

The past eighteen years have seen Governments at all levels, ably assisted by groups like the Greens and Gun Control Australia, continue to use atrocities like this to further restrict the rights of every day Australians rather than tackle the more difficult problems around illegal firearms and mental health.

Until we see a Government with the courage to tackle these issues, extremist groups like those mentioned above will continue to use tragedies like Port Arthur to advance their own agenda.

And it’s a disgrace.

Robert Borsak, MLC

Shooters and Fishers Party

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/fighting-for-nsw-fishers
I was six years old the first time I caught a fish with my dad in Berowra Creek. Later that same year, on my 7th birthday, I received my first fishing rod, reel and the Australian Guide to Fishing. For months I didn’t put the Guide down, reading every day, and each night my mum would come into my bedroom and take the book off my chest after I fell asleep reading! I’ve still got the book to this day!

Like most Aussie boys my dad, Fred, taught me to fish along with my Uncle Ron. They were the ones who I credit for my love of fishing. As I grew older I began rock fishing with Les Davies and Steve Bax and when I moved to offshore angling Brian Collins guided me. The angling fraternity lost a great man and teacher when Brian passed away.

Since fishing was my passion, it made sense for me to look for work in the commercial fishing arena, starting out as a deckie before I purchased a trap and line licence for myself when I was 24. But fishing for a living is a tough life, particularly on your family, I made the decision to go back to my trade, still fishing nights and weekends whenever I could. In my late 20s I got involved in competitive fishing, competing in a few State teams and being a part of an Australian Title side.

It seemed a natural progression for me to get more involved in the fight for fisher’s rights, and I was very proud to be elected as the President of the NSW Fishing Clubs Association for two terms.

During the last NSW Labor Government I became disillusioned with the increasing number of fishos being locked out in favour of new marine parks without any scientific reasoning and I was involved with Warringah Anglers in getting 17,000 signatures on a petition which we presented to Duncan Gay who was at the time NSW Shadow Fisheries Minister. I even had my photo taken on the steps of the NSW Parliament with him, amid promises a Coalition Government would really work with fishers. Fast forward a few years, the Coalition was elected, and yet still nothing was being done for fishers.

That’s when I met Robert Brown from the Shooters and Fishers Party who promised that SFP would be a real and powerful voice for fishers. I joined the Party on the spot and haven’t looked back. The Shooters and Fishers Party is the ONLY party fighting for recreational fishers in NSW. We’ve saved Oilies Wharf in Port Kembla, fought to keep Gadens Hatchery open, brought a developer to prosecution for destroying a Murray Cod habitat and imposed a moratorium on marine parks.

I feel very privileged to stand as a candidate for this Party, and over the next 12 months I’ll be speaking with fishers around the State to find out what YOU want from our Party. But we need your help.

I love fishing and the opportunities it has afforded me to see more of our beautiful country. And I want to make sure those same opportunities are around for the next generation.

That’s why I’m standing for the NSW Parliament, and I hope you will support me.

Peter Johnson

Shooters and Fishers Party

Pete Johnson will fight for shooters and fishers in the NSW Parliament, but we need your help. Volunteers will make the difference in our campaign. Please register your name to be a volunteer by clicking here. Follow Pete on Twitter @Pete4UpperHouse

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/recreational-hunters-the-solution-to-queensland-s-feral-pig-problem
The Queensland Government is being urged to consider using recreational hunters to tackle the State’s feral pig problem.

Queensland Shooters and Fishers Party President David Curless says that the answer could be recreational hunters, and encouraged the Queensland Government to work with the State’s firearm owners.

“With more than 170,000 licensed, law abiding firearm owners in Queensland, the solution to the problem is staring the Newman Government in the face,” said Mr Curless.

“Recreational hunters are ready, willing and able to help.”

Mr Curless says that successful programs have been running in Victoria for 20 years and in NSW for 8 years and have helped to control feral pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits and other feral pests.

“With successful programs already operating in other States, we encourage the Queensland Government to make use of this valuable volunteer resource and help our farmers and protect native wildlife.”

The Queensland Shooters and Fishers Party will be making a submission to the Queensland Government sighting the positive impact similar programs have had in other States.

“Victoria’s fox bounty has already claimed more than 133,000 scalps, including 10,000 in the first three months of the program,” said Mr Curless.

“The Queensland Government can no longer afford to ignore the usefulness of recreational hunters.”

“It’s time for the Government to work with hunters to give our hard working farmers the support they need.”

]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:26:33 +1100http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/news/population-growth
Can Australia cope with the pressures on housing, food and particularly water when our population reaches 40 million by 2050?

The Hon. Rick Mazza made the following statement in the Western Australian Parliament on Wednesday, 19 June 2013.

“I note the article on the front page of today’s The West Australian about a plan to water parks with recycled water. It brought to mind an issue that I want to speak briefly on tonight—that is, the accelerating growth rate of Australia’s population, and particularly that of Western Australia. Soaring population levels are not something that people think about very much; however, I came across a couple of articles recently which suggest Australia’s population will continue to soar with a combination of migration and births over deaths. Our state has a high level of net overseas migration, with the level last year at 50 600 people being an increase of 46 per cent. An Australian Bureau of Statistics media release on 28 March this year points to Western Australia experiencing record growth, reaching 2.45 million people as at 30 September last year, an annual increase of 3.4 per cent or 81 700 new residents. It is the highest percentage since the early 1970s and as Australia climbs to 23 million people, WA’s growth rate is at least double that of most other states.

“ABS director of demography, Bjorn Jarvis, is quoted as saying that the Australian population could reach 33 million by 2035, only 22 years from now and, given the continued consistent high growth rate, 40 million by 2050. Traditionally, governments have pursued population growth as a means of driving the economy, but I wonder at what point we can no longer sustain a population of that level. I wonder what Western Australia will look like in 50 years with that level of pressure on housing, food and particularly water.

“Just yesterday The West reported that WA Police has been struggling with WA’s rising population, which has increased demand and pressure on that department. Notwithstanding that our state has a land mass about four times the size of Texas, our population is concentrated in a tiny corner of the state; and even with a relatively reliable rainfall our current population has struggled with low dam levels and the government has had to resort to desalination plants that are pretty expensive to build and expensive to run. To add to that problem, a lot of our country towns have water piped out to them. Things are critical enough that there is talk of recycling sewage, which is not a very pleasant thought but something that we might be faced with. There has been a fair bit of media commentary on this issue recently.”

Hon Jim Chown: “A lot of country towns actually have recycled water in their sewerage systems right now and they have been doing so for at least 10 years.”

Hon Rick Mazza: “I am sure they have, Hon Jim Chown, but a number of them also have a lot of piped water, such as Northam, Narrogin and Wickepin, all drawing from the south west.

“There has been a fair bit of media commentary on the issue over the last few months. Considering that unfettered population growth and environmental wellbeing do not really go hand in hand, I am a bit surprised that the Greens have not been onto this issue. The question is: is our government even considering these issues and are we preparing for additional infrastructure, food and particularly water with our burgeoning population; and what maximum level of population can our state sustain?”